With the attraction of digital technology, the pen is no longer in fashion; the trend is towards the keyboard. As a result, new generations are abandoning handwriting. And yet, handwriting is a real form of gymnastics for the hand and has many advantages. More accessible and environmentally friendly than electronic devices, it also has beneficial effects for the body and mind.

Here are four good reasons to make handwriting part of your daily life again. And rediscover the sensory pleasure of hearing the pen scratch on a notebook, just like in the old days.

Handwriting enhances learning and memory

Handwriting has a positive impact on the cognitive process. According to scientific studies, writing by hand stimulates the areas of the brain associated with learning more than writing on a keyboard. So writing by hand makes it easier and more effective to understand and remember information. Drawing a letter by hand takes longer than typing on a keyboard. It helps us to think about what we’re writing or to better understand and remember the material we’re writing down. What’s more, writing by hand is a psychomotor skill that links the body to the brain. In particular, the act of handwriting activates the sensory-motor areas of the brain that operate short- and long-term memories.

Writing by hand boosts intellectual performance

Forming words by hand, letter by letter, gives you time to construct, order and clarify your thoughts. Sentences are generally longer and more elaborate.
Attention does not wander. There are no screen highlights, emails, notifications or other distractions. Handwriting therefore encourages concentration and develops qualities such as diligence. What’s more, it gives free rein to the imagination and creativity, when spellchecker suggestions tend to stifle them.

écriture manuscrite

Handwriting encourages social interaction and self-expression

Writing by hand forces us to be more careful about the words we use. Being a slower process, handwriting allows us to take the time to think about our choice of words, to rephrase thoughts in our own words. This makes it easier to express our individuality. Using this type of writing at work, for example scribbling down ideas in a professional notebook, is a good way of improving your written expression. Finally, handwriting is good for social relations, because it is more touching. In fact, the
handwriting reveals the personality of the writer and leaves a personal imprint that typed texts lack.

Handwriting improves your emotional state

Studies have shown that forming letters by hand stimulates many more areas of the brain than typing on a keyboard. Connections with the emotional regions of the brain are much greater with handwriting. As a result, handwriting helps us to establish a link with our emotions, to identify them and thus to manage them better. That’s why handwriting is part of art therapy. Therapeutic writing involves spending at least 15 minutes a day putting our feelings down on paper. Regular practice is the key to achieving greater physical and psychological benefits (boosting immunity, reducing stress and anxiety, etc.),
etc.)